WHL this Week: Looking Ahead ...
Published on November 25, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, AB â The 2009-10 Western Hockey League regular season enters its final weekend of action in November with a busy schedule of games set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday as America celebrates Thanksgiving.
In Calgary, AB, Friday night is Shoot for the Stars night when the Hitmen take on the visiting Red Deer Rebels. Three lucky contestants will have the chance to win some great prizes all while supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In Edmonton, AB, the Oil Kings will celebrate Grey Cup weekend in Edmonton with their Hot To Huddle Grey Cup Growwl festivities on Friday night when the Vancouver Giants come to town. The team will wear special jerseys which will be auctioned off following the game with proceeds benefiting the Oil Kings' Education Fund.
In Everett, WA, the Silvertips will be kicking off their Christmas House Holiday Drive on Friday night when the Seattle Thunderbirds come to town. Beginning with Friday's game, and continuing through every âTips' home game through December 18th, representatives from Christmas House will be collecting toy, stuffed animal and monetary donations. Fans who donate will be eligible to win great Silvertips prizes.
In Kamloops, B.C., the Blazers will hold their second Blueliner Breakfast of the season on Sunday. Fans can enjoy a good breakfast alongside their favorite Blazers players.
In Prince Albert, SK, the Raiders kick off Teddy Bear Toss season with their event scheduled for Friday night when the Saskatoon Blades come to town.
In Prince George, B.C., the Cougars kick off their Christmas Campaign on Friday night when the Regina Pats pay a visit. Various non-profit organizations will be represented at the game, and fans are encouraged to donate items for those in need over the winter months. Plus, the Cougars will conclude their Mo-vember campaign with the top five bearded Cougars getting shaved at center ice following the game.
In Kent, WA, it's Calvin Pickard Bobblehead Night when the Seattle Thunderbirds host the Kootenay Ice on Saturday, while in Spokane, WA, a lucky fan will walk away with the Ultimate Fan Weekend when the Chiefs host the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday.
In Kennewick, WA, the Tri-City Americans will launch their Be A Match drive and fundraiser when the Kootenay Ice come to town on Friday night to raise funds and awareness for the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
RUSSIA DOWNS TEAM WHL TO WIN SUBWAY SUPER SERIES...
Prince George, B.C. â Russia were crowned champions of the 2010 SUBWAY Super Series after they skated to a 5-2 win over Team WHL in the series finale on Thursday night in Prince George, B.C.
With the win, the Russians finish the six-game series with a 4-1-1 record versus the CHL for their first series win over the CHL in the eight-year history of the event. The Russians had twice won two games in the series â in 2004 and '07 â but had won just six out of 42 total meetings versus the CHL through the previous seven years combined.
CHILLIWACK'S BRANDON MANNING SIGNS WITH FLYERS...
The Chilliwack Bruins announced on Tuesday that defenceman Brandon Manning has signed a three year entry level contract with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. After going undrafted in last summer's NHL Entry Draft, Manning, who currently leads all WHL defencemen in scoring with 26 points, was free to sign with the NHL team of his choice.
DON HAY LOOKS BACK AS HE APPROACHES 500-WIN MARK...
(COURTESY Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun) -- Ask a player to recall his first NHL goal and he'll tell the tale in vivid detail from the arena, to the opposing goalie, to the type of shot and whether it was screened, deflected or top shelf forehand to backhand.
Then ask Don Hay to recall the first of his 499 wins as a Western Hockey League coach and all he can remember is his first loss. Actually, he can remember his two 'first losses', one as an interim head coach with the Kamloops Blazers and the other as the Blazers' full-time bench boss.
FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY ON SHAW...
Brandon Herrod and the Prince Albert Raiders (8-14-2-2) host Josh Nicholls and the Saskatoon Blades (17-5-0-1) on Friday night for the first of two weekend meetings between the East Division rivals.
Friday's contest between the Raiders and Blades can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW and SHAW Direct channel 299 (7:00pm CT).
The Raiders edged the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors 3-2 on Wednesday night, snapping a three-game losing skid on home ice, and currently sit in fifth place in the East Division. The Raiders' penalty killing unit is operating at a 69.6 per cent success rate at home. Herrod scored the game-winner in Wednesday's victory over Moose Jaw.
The Blades are coming off a 6-2 victory over the visiting Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday night for their fourth straight win, and currently share the Eastern Conference lead with Red Deer. The Blades have won five straight road games. Nicholls shares the team lead with 20 assists this season.
It's the third meeting of the season between the Raiders and Blades. The Blades swept a home-and-home series on opening weekend, edging the Raiders 3-2 in Saskatoon on September 24th then winning 6-5 in Prince Albert the next night. The teams meet up again on Saturday night in Saskatoon.
SHAW will broadcast 30 WHL games during the 2010-11 season. For the entire WHL on SHAW broadcast schedule, click HERE
KEY WEEKEND MATCH-UPS...
Red Deer Rebels vs Vancouver Giants
Saturday, Nov. 27
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the Red Deer Rebels host Craig Cunningham and the Vancouver Giants for a battle between division leaders on Saturday night.
The Rebels are coming off a 5-4 shootout loss in Lethbridge on Wednesday night for their second defeat in their last three games, but gained sole possession of top spot in the Central Division thanks to the point from the shootout loss. The Rebels have scored 33 more goals than they have allowed this season.
The Giants have been idle since last Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the visiting Regina Pats that snapped a two-game losing skid, and currently sit three points clear for top spot in the B.C. Division. The Giants are 6-5 on the road this season.
It's the second meeting of the season between the Rebels and Giants. The Rebels managed a 5-2 win over visiting Vancouver on October 29th in Red Deer.
The Giants are in Edmonton to face the Oil Kings while the Rebels are in Calgary to take on the Hitmen on Friday before Saturday's head-to-head clash.
Portland Winterhawks vs Medicine Hat Tigers
Sunday, Nov. 28
Ryan Johansen and the Portland Winterhawks host Linden Vey and the Medicine Hat Tigers for a match-up between two of the hottest teams in the WHL on Sunday.
The Winterhawks posted a 4-2 win over the visiting Everett Silvertips on Wednesday to run their record to a WHL-best 21-4-0-1, and currently hold a commanding eight-point lead for top spot in the overall WHL standings. Johansen has scored nine goals in 11 games in November, and has scored in five of his last six games.
The Tigers are coming off Tuesday's 7-1 win over the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings for their fifth straight victory, and have climbed to fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Linden Vey put up a five-point effort in Tuesday's win, giving him a whopping 24 points in 10 games in November and vaulting him into the WHL scoring lead with 43 points.
It's the only meeting of the season between the two offensive powerhouses. The Hawks won last year's only encounter, managing a 5-3 victory in Medicine Hat in October 2009.
The Tigers are in Everett to face the Silvertips on Saturday before Sunday's contest versus Portland. The Winterhawks are in Chilliwack on Friday and pay a visit to the Tri-City Americans on Saturday before heading home to face the Tigers on Sunday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE â November 26 - 28
All times local
WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL LIVE ON DEMAND
Friday, Nov. 26
Red Deer @ Calgary; 7:00
Portland @ Chilliwack; 7:30
Vancouver @ Edmonton; 7:00
Seattle @ Everett; 7:35
Spokane @ Kamloops; 7:00
Brandon @ Moose Jaw; 7:00
Saskatoon @ Prince Albert; 7:00 **Live on SHAW**
Regina @ Prince George; 7:00
Lethbridge @ Swift Current; 7:00
Kootenay @ Tri-City; 7:05
Saturday, Nov. 27
Moose Jaw @ Brandon; 7:30
Edmonton @ Calgary; 7:00
Medicine Hat @ Everett; 7:05
Prince George @ Kamloops; 7:00
Swift Current @ Lethbridge; 7:00
Vancouver @ Red Deer; 7:30
Prince Albert @ Saskatoon; 7:05
Kootenay @ Seattle; 7:05
Kelowna @ Spokane; 7:00
Portland @ Tri-City; 7:05
Sunday, Nov. 28
Medicine Hat @ Portland; 5:00
Western Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2010
- Raiders send Hrynyk to Chilliwack for 17 year-old goaltender Cole Holowenko - Prince Albert Raiders
- Bruins Acquire Hrynyk from Raiders - Chilliwack Bruins
- WHL this Week: Looking Ahead ... - WHL
- The Stable is Moving for Christmas - Saskatoon Blades
- Willick and Smith Rewarded for School Performance - Kamloops Blazers
- Oil Kings Mascot to Ride Grey Cup Zipline Today - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Prokop's Return Sparks Tri-City's 5-4 Comeback Effort Vs. Seattle - Tri-City Americans
- Rockets to Play in International Tournaments - Kelowna Rockets
- Cowen's Hat Trick Leads 10-1 Win - Spokane Chiefs
- Rockets Over Regina 6-1 - Kelowna Rockets
- Americans Defeat T-Bird in Shootout - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Wruck Scores Winner as Oil Kings Edge Hitmen 4-3 - Edmonton Oil Kings
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